Download as a printable flyer

What's Going On???
This October, from the 12th through the 19th, the FCC will open a window to apply for new, full power non-commercial educational (NCE) radio frequencies. If you want to apply for a non-commercial radio station, this is your one chance for any foreseeable future.

What Kind Of Radio Stations Are We Talking About?
The eligible channels that will be allocated in this window are designated as non-commercial educational (NCE) stations. Most are located between 88.1 MHz and 91.9 MHz on the FM dial. But there are also a few commercial channels specifically reserved for NCE use, and you can apply for these as well.

Are We Talking About Full Power Or Low Power Station?

Where Will There Stations Be?
You can apply for any available non-commercial frequencies in the United States. You can only apply for a frequency (spot on the radio dial) that does not conflict with any existing stations in your geographic region. Finding a frequency will follow current FCC interference rules.

Frequencies are available primarily in rural areas -- there is almost no likelihood of finding a frequency if you are within 20 miles of the 50 largest cities in the United States, and very little chance if you are within 30 miles of the largest 100 cities. But you can still try if you want.

We have mapped out likely locations and when you contact us we will help you to determine if available frequencies exist in a location that interests you. You can also check a location here based on zip codes.

Exactly When Will This Happen?
The filing window will be open from October 12th throught the 19th, 2007. You must file your application during this 7-day window - everything needs to be ready to go - so start preparing now.

You cannot apply before this window of opportunity, and you cannot apply after – you can only apply while the window is open.

Non-Commercial Educational (NCE) full power radio licensing has been frozen since 2000, and this will be the first opportunity to apply in more than five years. This will very likely be your only opportunity to apply for a noncommercial radio license.

Who Can Apply?
You cannot apply as an individual -- the applicant must be an organization with an educational mission. It can be an incorporated group, an Indian tribe, or some other form of nonprofit entity. You do not need 501(c)3 (tax exempt) status to qualify. Your organization’s bylaws must have - or write in – a commitment to have its headquarters within 25 miles of the station’s place of license.

How Much Does It Cost To Apply?
There is no application fee at the FCC, since the service is non-commercial. However, to successfully prepare and file an application, you should plan on spending between $2,000 and $5,000 for technical and legal assistance. More funds may be necessary later for legal fees if another group files for the same or conflicting frequencies.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Radio Station?
Depends on what kind of station you want.  $20,000 is needed for the bare minimum of a very simple station. More than $50,000 is very possible.

Groups that can help you find an engineer and prepare an application:

National Federation of Community Broadcasters
(nfcb.org) – provides services and advice to community radio stations, production groups and others.

Pacifica Radio
(pacifica.org | pacificanetwork.org) – has been a community radio network for over 55 years.

Prometheus Radio Project
(prometheusradio.org) – has been helping build low power radio stations all around the country.

Public Radio Capital
(pubcap.org) – is a consultancy that helps groups find financing for new frequencies.

Preparing an application will be demanding, requiring an investment in time, effort, and money.

But, although radio is magical, there is nothing mysterious about applying for a license, and the prize is -- a radio voice for your community! Go for it!!!